Kohli Gears Up for High-Stakes Series in South Africa
The Indian Test skipper is currently in South Africa as the action kicks off with the Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion. Virat Kohli heads into this high-profile series under intense scrutiny — both over his captaincy and his recent dip in batting form.
Kohli’s performance with the bat has raised concerns, with his Test average falling below 20 in recent outings — a worrying trend for one of the most accomplished batters in the modern era.
A Century Drought That Needs Breaking
Despite having 70 international centuries to his name — behind only Sachin Tendulkar (100) and Ricky Ponting (71) — Kohli has not scored a Test century in over two years.
His last Test ton (136) came against Bangladesh at Eden Gardens in November 2019, which also happens to be his most recent century across all formats. Since then, Kohli has gone 23 Test innings without reaching the three-figure mark.
In 2020, he managed only 116 runs in 6 innings
In 2021, he has scored 483 runs in 17 innings
This dip is uncharacteristic of Kohli, and he’ll be eager to get back to his best against an opponent he has historically dominated.
Strong Past Record Against South Africa
Kohli’s record against South Africa is one of the few shining lights heading into the series. In 20 innings, he has scored 1075 runs at an impressive average of 59.72, including:
3 centuries
3 fifties
Even on South African soil, Kohli has performed exceptionally well, scoring 558 runs in 10 innings with:
2 centuries
2 fifties
These numbers suggest that South Africa might be the perfect place for Kohli to rediscover his form.
A New Chapter with Fewer Burdens
Kohli is also entering this series with a slightly different outlook. Amidst off-field controversies and transitions in team leadership, the modern-day great looks to lead by example and let his bat do the talking.
With potentially less pressure on his shoulders and a desire to silence critics, Kohli will be looking to turn the page and begin a new chapter in his already illustrious career.